Unhappy holidays?

The holidays are a time of joy, gathering with loved ones and gifts, right? Not for everyone. The holidays can also lead to stress and depression. And it’s not really a surprise, with the numerous demands that the holidays present – shopping, baking, cleaning, parties, and entertaining.

The problem with stress, especially during this busy time, is that it can be counterproductive. Even though people know it’s coming, and try to avoid it, holiday stress happens every year. And can have negative effects on health. According to WebMD, lowering your stress can help reduce your risk of heart disease, skin conditions, flare-ups of digestive and immune disorders, and anxiety and depression. 

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the holidays and prevent the stress:

• Set reasonable expectations. You don’t have to find the “perfect” gift, or throw the “perfect” party. Lowering your expectations of yourself during this time will help you be able to enjoy it more.
• Say no. It’s ok to say no, you can’t do it all. Learning not to over-commit and prioritize can eliminate a lot of unnecessary stress.
• Stick to a budget. Around the holidays, money can be a big stressor. Decide how much you want to spend then stick to it.
• Acknowledge your feelings. If you are feeling sad, it’s ok – you can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holidays.
• Save time for yourself. With all the parties, shopping and cooking, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Set aside some time for yourself. Just 15 minutes of distraction-free alone time may refresh you enough to handle all that you need to do.

For more tips on how to manage stress, at any time of the year, visit the HelpGuide.

-HBG Staff 

Image source.

 

 

Comments

[Roberta R. Barnes]

Looking too closely at the holidays can indeed be overwhelming. I agree with all your tips. Another way to manage stress is with meditations guided, which take you into the stillness where there is nothing pushing and pulling at you. You are also guided to finding your solutions, which is perfect when holiday stress has you running in circles.

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